Need new electronic hearing protection. Suggestions please.

[RAM Engineer]

My last pair of Howard Leights bit the dust. I was fairly pleased with the cost and electronics, but not so much with the comfort and durability. Noise reduction was ok. So now I’m looking for something new. Specs are as follows:

1. Over ear, compatible/comfortable with Rx glasses and sunglasses
2. Electronic (amplify sounds, noise cutoff limit)
3. Directional/stereo amplification
4. Bluetooth option
5. Works well with long gun stocks (left and right hand)
6. Comfort
7. Durable

No price limit.

Thanks.

[Pistol Pete 10]

Good luck finding one that works with a long gun.

[Gray222]

You won't find many top tier versions which support bluetooth, not yet anyway.

What's your price point?

Regardless of what you end up getting, make sure you get some noisefighter ear gel upgrades.

[RJ]

Bluetooth doesn't seem to be common...I did find this:

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Communications-Headset-MT16H21FWS5UM580-Reduction/dp/B00DHVXF2E

"Sound control boosts low-level sounds while limiting loud sounds
Ambient listening features make it easier to hear conversation, warning signals, and approaching vehicles
Bluetooth connectivity works with enabled cell phone, MP3 player, or 2-way radio
Noise-cancelling boom microphone helps improve voice communication in noise
Stereo system makes listening to music more enjoyable by improving sound quality"

Hard to tell but I think it has gel cups.

[Default.mp3]

Maybe the Peltor Sport Tactical 500?

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/Peltor-Sport-Tactical-500-Electronic-Hearing-Protector-1-Pack/?N=5002385+3291204148&preselect=8709316+8740615+8744796&rt=rud

[Weaponeer]

I have a pair of Walkers that would meet most of your specs. They work well.

Walker's Razor Quad Electronic Bluetooth Muff-Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W576CHT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pANrDbDK083MT


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[rob_s]

Why do you want the Bluetooth?

I’ve been a Sordin user for many years. Shot thousands of rounds though ARs and AKs and shotguns with them, and hundreds of rounds through a bolt-action, and never had an issue. But everyone’s head is different and lots of people seem to object to over-ear hearing protection with long guns.

[andre3k]

I have a pair of Walkers that would meet most of your specs. They work well.

Walker's Razor Quad Electronic Bluetooth Muff-Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W576CHT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pANrDbDK083MT


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I have the non-BT version. They work really well, no complaints.

[Tokarev]

MSA Sordins or the Peltor Comtac III. No blue tooth on either (unless they've recently added that feature) but both are durable. Comfortable when worn for long periods. Gel ear pads can be added if you have some discomfort when wearing glasses and there are a number of padded aftermarket covers for the head band if needed.


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[Gray222]

There's already a thread covering msa sordins and a bunch of other ear pro related things, I couldn't find it with a quick search but someone should link it as it likely has all the answers.

[RJ]

voodoo_man might be this one:

Electronic ear protection - current state of groupthink?
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=18787&share_tid=22470&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpistol-forum%2Ecom%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D22470&share_type=t

[Gray222]

voodoo_man might be this one:

Electronic ear protection - current state of groupthink?
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=18787&share_tid=22470&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpistol-forum%2Ecom%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D22470&share_type=t

Yeah that's it, the group buy for the sordins is in there and a bunch of technical stuff. Lots of ear pro discussed and no need to have another thread on it rehashing anything, theres nothing new on the market (aside from noisefighters) that needs discussion.

[DMF13]

You won't find many top tier versions which support bluetooth, not yet anyway.Sure you can, the Peltor Tactical 500.

Top quality hearing protection, and they have Bluetooth capability. Although I do recommend upgrading the ear seals to gel seals.

They offer much better hearing protection than the more expensive very low profile ear pro, that is designed for use under a helmet, and for radio comms with a whole tactical team. Most people are better off getting the better protection, at a lower cost.

Here is the data that shows you're better off with the Peltor ear pro than the MSA Sordin offerings:

1. Blog post which has the NRR data for MSA Sordin: https://trevoronthetrigger.wordpress.com/tag/sordin/ which many people have linked to on this forum.
Note the NRR data for the MSA Sordins is legit, but the blog post makes claims that are not true such as, "Some ear-pro makers put noise-reduction labels on their products by picking the frequency range with the greatest reduction, then calling that the noise-reduction rating." Any manufacturer who wants to market their products with the standard labeling such as:
41010
Cannot simply pull a number from the best performing frequency range. They must follow the EPA regulations for calculating the noise reduction rating (NRR).

2. On the previous thread, that has been linked to in this thread, I posted the data for the Peltor 100, 300, and 500 earpro, which shows they all perform much better than the MSA Sordins, in two separate posts on this page.
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?22470-Electronic-ear-protection-current-state-of-groupthink/page18&highlight=DMF13

Need to wear a helmet and have radio comms with a tactical team? Get very low profile, and expensive ear pro.

Want to save your hearing at the range, when not wearing a helmet? Get better protection at a lower price.

[Gray222]

$115 for those peltor bluetooth on amazon, that's a hard pass for me, blue tooth and tactical electronic ear pro just don't mix for me, I understand why some people would want them, but for comms, hardwire to a portable is, and will be, king for a while.

As for being better than sordin's, that's personal opinion at best. I have 6x? different electronic ear pro and have used the tippy top of the tiers of ear pro, the sordin's are still my go to with the noisefighters gels.

[Coyotesfan97]

I’ve had Peltors and MSAs issued to me. I’ve bought both with my own money. I bought the MSA Sordins with the gel caps and they’re my go to ear pro now.

[JohnO]

I suggest you look here. https://srstactical.com/

[Weaponeer]

Why do you want the Bluetooth?



Man, BT comes in handy with smartphones. The sound is great and you don’t have a 3.5 audio cable hanging from it.



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[rob_s]

Man, BT comes in handy with smartphones. The sound is great and you don’t have a 3.5 audio cable hanging from it.

I guess I’m getting old. I find myself enjoying the “silence” of the gun range. I have zero interest in taking calls, listening to music or podcasts... the only reason I still use electronic ear pro is people insist on talking and I get tired of yelling. I really should just keep and extra couple of sets around and give them to everyone else.

[Gray222]

I guess I’m getting old. I find myself enjoying the “silence” of the gun range. I have zero interest in taking calls, listening to music or podcasts... the only reason I still use electronic ear pro is people insist on talking and I get tired of yelling. I really should just keep and extra couple of sets around and give them to everyone else.

Silence is golden...

[Pit]

I purchase a set of these to replace an old set of Peltors. I chose these based on a couple of reviews and their noise reduction rating. When wearing them turned off, I have trouble hearing anything but my breathing. When they are on, they work very well.

However, after use for once a week for the last year the range, a design flaw has surfaced. The wire mount for the ear cup puts enough pressure on the plastic connecting piece to the head band. After some use the tab breaks and the cup no longer seals against the side of your head. This is a very poor design. Not my pics but shows the issue. They have a 1 year warranty. Mine are sent back at this time. 3M Peltor knows of the issue. Many have contacted them on this issue. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/Peltor-Sport-Tactical-500-Electronic-Hearing-Protector-1-Pack/?N=5002385+3291204148&rt=rud I got the pics on their site.

However I will not recommend these to anyone based on my experience. Dang shame as I really liked them until now.

JW

[OldRunner/CSAT Neighbor]

$115 for those peltor bluetooth on amazon, that's a hard pass for me, blue tooth and tactical electronic ear pro just don't mix for me, I understand why some people would want them, but for comms, hardwire to a portable is, and will be, king for a while.

As for being better than sordin's, that's personal opinion at best. I have 6x? different electronic ear pro and have used the tippy top of the tiers of ear pro, the sordin's are still my go to with the noisefighters gels.

What VM said above. I have a pair of BTH TCI DEHP's (like new), added a pair of Lib. HP's last year b/c my 2008 Sord. Pro-X's will die one day but they still got the call @ a PMO class this wknd & they'll also be in play Sat. @ our steel match.

[Pit]

Forgot to add, I did not use the Blue Tooth capabilities in the Tactical 500. They were very good at the price I got them at.

JW

[Bart Carter]

I have been wearing electronic muffs instead of my custom electronic plugs for a while now since a doctor I was shooting with advised me that muffs are better because they cover more head bone. Drug out my Peltors for this. Rated at 22 dB. Yes, much better than even my pricy plugs.

I just found these 30 dB ones and they are highly rated on Amazon. Quite a good price ($62.55), so I just ordered them. Should be here next week.

Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902)

30 dB Muffs (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007BGSI5U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[RAM Engineer]

Why do you want the Bluetooth?

These will get pressed into service for any earpro needs, like mowing, pressure washing, etc, and I'd like to be able to listen to music, podcasts, answer phone calls in those situations. The obvious alternative is wired earbuds UNDER an electronic muff, but I'm not big on that solution.

[Stephanie B]

I have been wearing electronic muffs instead of my custom electronic plugs for a while now since a doctor I was shooting with advised me that muffs are better because they cover more head bone. Drug out my Peltors for this. Rated at 22 dB. Yes, much better than even my pricy plugs.

I just found these 30 dB ones and they are highly rated on Amazon. Quite a good price ($62.55), so I just ordered them. Should be here next week.

Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902)

30 dB Muffs (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007BGSI5U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
I have a pair. They are decent. They have an audio jack. I used that for bullseye training (running the commands from my iPhone’s app.)

[Nephrology]

the 3M Comtac III (https://srstactical.com/3m-peltor-comtac-iii-hearing-protection-headset.html) are the best earpro out there, IMO.

[Jamie]

I have been wearing electronic muffs instead of my custom electronic plugs for a while now since a doctor I was shooting with advised me that muffs are better because they cover more head bone. Drug out my Peltors for this. Rated at 22 dB. Yes, much better than even my pricy plugs.

I just found these 30 dB ones and they are highly rated on Amazon. Quite a good price ($62.55), so I just ordered them. Should be here next week.

Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902)

30 dB Muffs (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007BGSI5U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

I've been using this set for about a year now and really like them. I find them comfortable and they work very well in the rather noisy indoor range I frequent.
Good choice imho.

[RJ]

I have been wearing electronic muffs instead of my custom electronic plugs for a while now since a doctor I was shooting with advised me that muffs are better because they cover more head bone. Drug out my Peltors for this. Rated at 22 dB. Yes, much better than even my pricy plugs.

I just found these 30 dB ones and they are highly rated on Amazon. Quite a good price ($62.55), so I just ordered them. Should be here next week.

Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902)

30 dB Muffs (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007BGSI5U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Good choice. I have a pair of these also. When I really want to tune out the chatter, or am on a stall with a rifle next to me, they help a lot.

Only issue I have with them is they get a bit sweaty and uncomfortable with long use, or in an all day class. The fit of the pads around my glasses ear pieces is also not as good with the gel cups of my Sordins.

But are they a solid value for electronicd earpro? Absolutely.